Former WBO World Champ Sho Kimura Battles Tuolehazi for WBA Int'l Belt at SpacePlus Thailand

By Carlos Costa

BANGKOK, Thailand — Japanese former WBO Flyweight World Champion 木村翔 Sho Kimura (19-3-3, 12 KO’s), the fighter known for ending the pro boxing career of Chinese former Top Rank star Zou Shiming five years ago, still craves for glory and applauses, wanting so much to get back into the small circle of elite flyweights.

Because of that, the 34-year-old Yokohama warrior needs more than anything else a stunning, decisive win over the tough warrior from the Middle Kingdom Wulan Tuolehazi (15-4-1, 7 KO’s) when the two men collide for the vacant WBA International Flyweight Strap on February 25 at the luxurious SpacePlus Night Club, RCA Plaza, in Bangkok, Thailand.

That’s why Kimura’s training has been so focused and disciplined. Because he knows so well that a setback would mean disaster to his career, especially after his lackluster performance in his most recent battle last May against unheralded compatriot 堀川龍 Ryu Horikawa (3-1-2, 1 KO).

Horikawa is the unknown, much less-experienced boxer whom the skilled former world champion should have easily eaten alive. That was not the case.

What unfolded was that Kimura and Horikawa fought to a draw that afternoon at the fame Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. That was a rather surprising result for boxing fans in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Therefore, the question: Does Sho Kimura still have enough in his fighting arsenal to counter-attack the bullying aggression of coming-forward pressure fighter Tuolehazi, a protégé of Chinese star promoter, Barcelona 92 Olympian Liu Gang?

Fans outside of Thailand may watch the intriguing war – as well as the whole 9-bout show – live from the free streaming link in the promoter Highland Boxing Promotions’ Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Kimura vs Tuolehazi for the WBA Internationa Flyweight Title is a televised production of award-winning Filipino promoter/matchmaker Brico Santig, director of Highland Boxing Promotions, in association with China Promoter Liu Gang, Maxpower, veteran Thailand man of boxing Supanat Chanram and SpacePlus chairman Tony Chen.

The author, veteran boxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama, will report from ringside in Bangkok. Carlos can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152.